Description
Sausage Pinwheels are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer featuring seasoned pork sausage, creamy cheese, and flaky crescent roll dough. Perfect for parties or family gatherings, these savory pinwheels combine the richness of cream cheese and cheddar with flavorful cooked sausage, all wrapped in buttery crescent dough and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage Mixture
- 1 pound bulk pork sausage
Dough and Filling
- 2 (8-ounce) packages refrigerated crescent rolls
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook the sausage: Add the sausage to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until browned and crumbly, about 10 minutes. Drain the excess grease and set the sausage aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare the dough base: Lay out a sheet of wax paper and lightly spray it with cooking spray. Unroll one package of crescent rolls onto the wax paper, pinching the perforations together to form a seamless sheet of dough.
- Spread the filling: Evenly spread half of the softened cream cheese over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges. Sprinkle half of the cooked sausage and half of the shredded cheddar cheese evenly on top of the cream cheese layer.
- Roll the log: Use the wax paper to help carefully roll the dough lengthwise into a tight log, encasing the filling. Wrap the log securely in plastic wrap to maintain its shape.
- Repeat for the second log: Repeat steps 2 through 4 with the remaining crescent rolls, cream cheese, sausage, and cheddar cheese to create a second log.
- Chill the logs: Refrigerate both wrapped logs for at least one hour or until they are firm enough to slice.
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while you prepare the pinwheels for baking.
- Slice the pinwheels: Remove the logs from the refrigerator and unwrap them. Using a sharp knife, cut each log into 1/2-inch-thick slices and arrange them spaced evenly on a baking sheet.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the pinwheels for 10-15 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Cool and serve: Remove the pinwheels from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on the baking sheet before serving warm as a scrumptious appetizer or snack.
Notes
- Make sure to drain the grease from the sausage well to avoid soggy pinwheels.
- Using wax paper helps to roll the dough tightly and cleanly without sticking.
- The pinwheels can be made ahead and refrigerated or even frozen before baking.
- For extra flavor, you can add herbs like parsley or spices such as garlic powder to the sausage mixture.
- Serve with a dipping sauce like marinara or ranch for added taste.
